News from Patrick Flynn

Regular visitors to this site have reviewed my previous posts regarding the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority‘s (KABATA) plans to construct a Knik Arm Crossing. To summarize the discussion, I do not oppose a crossing at some point but I do not support the span proposed by KABATA and I do not feel this is the time to build this bridge.

As a freshman member of the Anchorage Assembly, and of the Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS) Policy committee, I have exercised patience with the planning process. Specifically, I have acceded to the request from the AMATS chair, DOT Central Region Director Gordon Keith, that we not act to remove the Knik Arm Crossing from the AMATS Transportation Improvement Program until a Record of Decision is issued, lest a rash act trigger state repayment of federal dollars spent thus far. And I was heartened to learn that DOT officials issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an independent review of KABATA’s cost estimates.

All that said, I’ve concluded that the time to wait is over and it’s time to move forward with reallocating resources from the Knik Arm Crossing to other, more pressing transportation needs. The Assembly can precipitate this process, without forcing the state to repay the federal government, with a resolution rescinding support for the project. My reasons proceeding now are three-fold:

1. The aforementioned RFP received just one response, and that responder later withdrew that response. While the RFP was re-issued as of September 5, the next set of responses are not due until September 25, with a draft report slated for November 21 and final report not scheduled until December 5. Delays like this seem to affirm the concerns I previously posted that KABATA and its allies may be stalling for time in hopes of changing the political make-up of AMATS and other decision-making entities.
2. AMATS’ ability to fund projects has become increasingly constrained by a lack of funds due, in part, to the continued allocation of resources to the Knik Arm Crossing.
3. In her current bid for Vice-President, Governor Sarah Palin has indicated that she said, “thanks, but no thanks, for that bridge to nowhere,” apparently referring to the proposed span between Revillagigedo and Gravina islands. Or, more simply, the bridge from Ketchikan to its airport. My recollection is that the national discussion centered on “bridges to nowhere,” (minor emphasis added) and if one project’s funding deserves reallocation then both projects’ funding should be reallocated.

After careful consideration, and consultation with those who have closely followed this process, my Assembly colleague Sheila Selkregg and I have submitted a resolution that, pending Assembly approval, will formally begin the process to terminate the current Knik Arm Crossing project. I would reiterate that I take this step not out of opposition to a future bridge, but to committing our scarce resources to projects that will provide more immediate and broad-based transportation improvements to Southcentral Alaska. Some of my suggestions include additional commuter transit (e.g. People Mover, Share-A-Ride vans and MASCOT), the proposed Highway-to-Highway connection and reconstruction of the many rutted thoroughfares in Anchorage.

The resolution is scheduled to be heard at our meeting on Tuesday, September 16, and I’ve pasted the text below. As always, I appreciate your questions, thoughts and concerns.

Regards,

Patrick

A RESOLUTION OF THE ANCHORAGE MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY WITHDRAWING SUPPORT FOR KNIK ARM CROSSING TRANSPORTATION PROJECT AND REQUESTING THAT THE ANCHORAGE METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS (AMATS) POLICY COMMITTEE BEGIN THE PROCESS TO REMOVE KNIK ARM CROSSING FROM THE 2025 LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN WITH 2027 REVISIONS.

WHEREAS, the unprecedented increases in fuel and construction costs over the last two years are expected to alter future growth, land use, and commuting patterns in the Anchorage/Mat-Su region; and

WHEREAS, a significant increase in the national debt and changes in the national economy have resulted in a declining balance in the Highway Trust Fund; and

WHEREAS, the mayors of Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Boroughs have formed a Regional Transit Authority to better serve the 14,000 people who regularly commute between the Mat-Su and Anchorage, a number expected to increase to 30,000 within about 15 years; and

WHEREAS, there are many priority projects, urgent repairs, and safety upgrades needed in the Anchorage area, as well as many additional worthy traffic solutions in need of funding throughout the greater Southcentral area; and

WHEREAS, the funding demands of the Knik Arm Crossing and highway connections related to this project significantly impact Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions€™ capacity to fund design and development of other needed transportation projects;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Anchorage Assembly

Section 1. Recognizes the changing conditions and high costs associated with the Knik Arm Crossing and formally withdraws its support from the project; and

Section 2. Requests that the Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS) Policy Committee begin the process to remove the Knik Arm Crossing from the 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan with 2027 revisions; and

Section 3. Requests that the AMATS Policy Committee delete the Knik Arm Crossing from the Transportation Improvement Plan; and

Section 4. Requests that Governor Palin reallocate all federal monies from the Knik Arm Crossing project to other priority Southcentral Alaska transportation projects including, but not limited to: commuter transit, Glenn highway safety improvements, and the Glenn Highway to Seward Highway connection and congestion mitigation project.